by Tom Chillemi –
Sidewalks in Urbanna that are uneven or broken have been an issue for years.
While some sidewalks are the responsibility of VDOT, the town owns much of the sidewalks and is responsible for their upkeep and repair.
For example, the sidewalks on Virginia Street from Cross Street to Prince George Street were replaced during a major streetscape renovation more than 10 years ago. Before that renovation, the sidewalks belonged to VDOT. Once that renovation took place, the sidewalk ownership was turned over to the town, reported town administrator Holly Gailey at council’s September 10 work session meeting.
These Virginia Street sidewalks have sunk in places, especially around drainage culverts, creating tripping hazards. In some places these sidewalks slope and have sunk below the street gutters.
Council member Boyd Wiley said some sidewalks have separated from the curbing, which allows water to get under the concrete.
The town’s Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) has recommended just $12,000 for sidewalk repairs, said Gailey. Being listed on the CIP does not ensure funding. The CIP lists projects that have a long lifespan and is merely a planning tool for council.
High traffic sidewalks would be repaired first, said Gailey.
VDOT owns sidewalks on Virginia Street that are west of Rappahannock Avenue, and on Cross Street from Virginia Street to Marston Avenue, Gailey noted.
Antennas
A recent power outage at the Urbanna water tower triggered several phone calls from technology companies asking why their antennas were not working, Gailey reported at council’s September 26 meeting.
Ironically, the current town council was not aware of these antennas.
At the October 10 meeting, town attorney Andy Bury explained that a 10-year contract was signed in December 2006 that allowed some antennas to be placed on the water tower. The rent was set at $140 per month and began in January 2007.
The town will be negotiating a new rent structure with the companies, said Gailey.
She noted that the Hampton Roads Sanitation District (HRSD) also has antennas on the water tower. HRSD’s antennas are used to monitor the wastewater treatment infrastructure in the town.
